SocialBlossomSEL for Every Child

The Essential Guide to Your First Meeting with Your Child's SLP

Reviewed by Rajini D, M.Sc. SLP (AIISH)··6 min read
TL;DR — Meeting your child's SLP is crucial for setting a collaborative tone. Ask about goals, service delivery, home alignment, and progress monitoring. This ensures a supportive partnership that enhances your child's development through SEL.
Parents meeting with a school SLP in a welcoming office.
📘 Part of our complete guide to Working with the School SLP, OT, and Counselor: A Parent's Playbook

Why This First Meeting Sets the Tone

Meeting your child's school Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can be pivotal in ensuring a supportive educational journey. This meeting is your opportunity to establish a collaborative relationship that will ultimately benefit your child's development. As part of our comprehensive guide, Working with the School SLP, OT, and Counselor: A Parent's Playbook, this article focuses on making the most of that first meeting by asking the right questions.

Starting off with a clear understanding can lay the foundation for effective communication and mutual respect. It's about creating a partnership where both parties feel empowered to share insights and work towards common goals. In my practice, I've seen many parents who actively engage with their child's SLP find their child benefits significantly more from services. This proactive approach can transform the educational experience, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Parents meeting with a Speech-Language Pathologist in a school office.

Questions About Goals

Setting clear goals is crucial for effective intervention. Here are three key questions to ask about your child’s goals:

  1. What are the specific goals for my child?

    • Understanding the goals helps you know what to expect from the SLP services. Ask about both short-term and long-term objectives.

  2. How are these goals determined?

    • This question helps you understand the assessment process and the rationale behind each goal. Are they aligned with your child's unique needs?

  3. How do these goals integrate with the IEP?

    • It’s essential to know how these goals fit into your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan to ensure consistency across services.

Example: Imagine your child is working on improving social communication. You might ask, “How will these goals help my child interact more effectively with peers during group activities?” This question connects the goals to real-life scenarios.

To further enhance goal alignment, consider asking about how goals can evolve over time. This opens a dialogue about flexibility and adaptation based on your child's progress and changing needs. In my practice, I've seen how dynamic goal-setting can lead to more personalized and effective interventions.

Parents and children in a social communication skills session with an SLP.

Questions About Service Delivery

Understanding how services are delivered is key to knowing how your child will receive support:

  1. What is the format of the sessions?

    • Inquire whether the sessions are individual, group, or a mix. Each has its benefits depending on the child’s needs.

  2. How often and for how long will sessions occur?

    • Frequency and duration can significantly impact progress. Discuss any flexibility in scheduling to accommodate your child’s needs.

  3. Who will be delivering the services and where?

    • Knowing the location and the personnel involved helps you understand the context in which your child will learn.

In my practice: I've seen parents who understand these logistics better support their child at home. For instance, if group sessions are used, parents can arrange playdates to reinforce skills.

Discussing service delivery also includes understanding any supplementary support available, such as access to resources or additional specialists. Ask, "What additional resources or support staff are available to assist my child?" This ensures you have a comprehensive view of the support structure surrounding your child.

Questions About Home-School Alignment

Aligning school efforts with home activities maximizes the impact of SLP services:

  1. How can I support my child’s goals at home?

    • Ask for specific strategies or activities you can incorporate into daily routines.

  2. Are there any materials I should use or avoid?

    • Sometimes, certain materials or approaches at home can enhance or conflict with what’s done at school.

  3. How frequently should we communicate to discuss progress?

    • Establishing a communication plan ensures you are updated and can make informed decisions.

Real-life script: When introducing a new skill, you might say, “At home, we’ve been using social stories. Could you suggest any specific storybooks or social stories to reinforce what they’re learning?”

To further strengthen home-school alignment, consider scheduling regular check-ins with the SLP. Ask, "Can we set up a monthly check-in to review progress and adjust strategies?" This proactive approach ensures that any necessary adjustments are made promptly, keeping your child's development on track.

Infographic on aligning home and school strategies for child development.

Questions About Progress Monitoring

Monitoring progress offers insights into how well the interventions are working:

  1. How is progress measured and reported?

    • Understand the tools and metrics used for tracking your child’s improvements.

  2. What happens if my child is not meeting their goals?

    • Knowing the plan for when goals aren’t met helps you prepare for potential adjustments.

  3. Can you provide examples of how past students have progressed?

    • This can give you a realistic picture of what to expect.

Example: Ask, “Could you show me an example of a progress report?” This can clarify what you will be looking at during reviews.

Consider also asking about the adaptability of the strategies used. "How flexible are the intervention strategies to adapt to my child's evolving needs?" This question underscores the importance of a responsive approach to progress monitoring.

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What NOT to Ask (Turn-Offs)

While curiosity is encouraged, some questions might not be well-received:

  • Avoid asking for guarantees.

    • Progress varies and asking for guarantees can set unrealistic expectations.

  • Don’t question the SLP’s qualifications.

    • Trust in their expertise and open communication fosters a positive relationship.

  • Steer clear of comparing your child to others.

    • Each child is unique, and comparisons can derail the focus from your child’s individual needs.

Include questions that are open-ended and encourage discussion. Instead of asking for guarantees, ask, "What are the indicators that show we are on the right path?" This can provide reassurance while maintaining realistic expectations.

Email Template After Meeting

Following up with an email can reinforce what was discussed and set the stage for ongoing dialogue:

Subject: Follow-Up and Gratitude

Dear [SLP's Name],

Thank you for meeting with us on [Date]. We appreciate the insights you provided about [Child’s Name]'s goals and progress. Looking forward to working together to support [Child's Name]'s development.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

A thoughtful follow-up email can also include a question that encourages ongoing engagement, such as "What can we do immediately to support [Child's Name]'s next steps?"

Free Download: Question Checklist

Download our free checklist to keep these questions handy for your first meeting. Having a guide ensures you cover all bases and maximize the outcomes for your child.

References

1 ASHA. (n.d.). School-based services for SLPs. Retrieved from asha.org/SLP/schools/

2 Turnbull, A. (2020). Families, Professionals, and Exceptionality. Pearson.

Try It This Week

Reading is the easy part. Skills build through small, repeated practice — here's a low-pressure plan you can try with your child.

  1. 1
    Engage in a speech activityDaily, 5 min
    Incorporate a 5-minute speech activity daily to reinforce school learnings.
    👉 What this looks like
    After school, spend 5 minutes with your child on a speech activity. For example, while making dinner, ask your child to describe the vegetables and their colors. This reinforces vocabulary and observational skills.
  2. 2
    Create a communication boardThis weekend
    Develop a visual communication board to help your child express needs at home.
    👉 What this looks like
    Use pictures from magazines to create a board with common items and emotions. Encourage your child to point to the pictures when expressing needs or feelings. Regularly update the board with new items.
    use this story →
  3. 3
    Schedule a playdateOnce this week
    Arrange a playdate to practice social communication skills in a natural setting.
    👉 What this looks like
    Invite a classmate over for a playdate. Plan activities that require turn-taking, like board games. Observe how your child communicates and guide them gently if needed, saying, 'Remember, it's your friend's turn to play now.'
  4. 4
    Reflect on the first meetingDay 1
    Review your notes from the SLP meeting to identify key action points.
    👉 What this looks like
    Set aside time to revisit your notes from the SLP meeting. Highlight three actionable points to focus on at home, such as incorporating a new strategy or resource suggested by the SLP.
  5. 5
    Draft a follow-up emailDay 2-3
    Send a follow-up email to the SLP summarizing the meeting and next steps.
    👉 What this looks like
    Write an email thanking the SLP, summarizing the meeting points, and asking any clarifying questions. For instance, 'We discussed [Child's Name]'s progress. Could you elaborate on how we can support this at home?'

Frequently Asked Questions

What questions should I ask at my first SLP meeting?
Focus on goals, service delivery, home-school alignment, and progress monitoring.
How can I prepare for my child's first SLP meeting?
Review potential questions and align them with your child's specific needs.
What should I avoid asking the SLP?
Avoid asking for guarantees, questioning qualifications, or making comparisons.
How can I support my child's speech goals at home?
Engage in suggested activities from the SLP and maintain open communication.
What is the role of an SLP in schools?
SLPs support speech and language development, aligned with educational goals.

References

  1. ASHA. (n.d.). School-based services for SLPs. Retrieved from asha.org/SLP/schools/
  2. Turnbull, A. (2020). Families, Professionals, and Exceptionality. Pearson.
Rajini Darugupally, Speech-Language Pathologist
Rajini Darugupally
Speech-Language Pathologist · M.Sc. SLP (AIISH) · 10+ years of clinical experience
More about Rajini & the team →

Educational, not medical advice. This article is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical or therapeutic advice. If you have clinical concerns about your child, please talk to your pediatrician, speech-language pathologist, or other qualified professional.